ECT in LSD Psychosis: A Report of Three Cases
American Journal of Psychiatry September 1, 1971 DOI: 10.1176/ajp.128.3.351 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThree patients who developed toxic psychosis after ingesting LSD and did not improve with medication, psychotherapy, or a therapeutic milieu recovered dramatically after a short series of unilateral electroconvulsive treatments. The author recommends ECT for LSD-induced 'bad trips' that do not resolve quickly.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3 |
| Population | Patients with toxic psychosis associated with LSD ingestion |
| Duration | Short series |
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Psychosis Ingestion Psychology Psychiatry |
| Citations | 15 |
| Key finding | Unilateral ECT led to dramatic recovery in three patients with persistent LSD-induced psychosis after conservative treatments failed. |
Abstract
Three patients with toxic psychosis associated with LSD ingestion responded dramatically to a short series of unilateral ECTs after more conservative measures had been unsuccessful. The conservative measures consisted of medication, psychotherapy, and therapeutic milieu. The author recommends ECT for the "bad trip" from LSD that does not remit rapidly.